What Goes Around Comes Around
Rom 11:30-32 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.
While the Bible originated with the Jews, it was propagated worldwide largely through Gentiles as it is today. And we can see even in Paul's ministry the rejection of the gospel by the Jews led to an emphasis in his ministry upon Gentiles. "Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles." Acts 13:46 But consequently this same propagation comes full circle back to Jews who are challenged by their own scriptures to believe in Jesus which would result in them be saved from God's wrath.
God uses incentives to motivate people to do what is ultimately in their best interest, even playing with the human sinful nature for our own benefit. Paul talked about the Gentiles provoking his unbelieving brethren to jealousy. You would think jealousy a bad thing. But as Joseph said to his brothers, as one might say to the sinful nature, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Gen 50:20 Consider also that God had previously orchestrated the scenario that led to Christ's crucifixion, playing upon the pride and jealousy of the religious elite to accomplish His ends. For a similar reason Paul speaks optimistically about a what seems a hopeless situation.
So if you are distressed by a hopeless situation, remember that God characteristically can make the outcome good.
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
Rom 11:30-32 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.
While the Bible originated with the Jews, it was propagated worldwide largely through Gentiles as it is today. And we can see even in Paul's ministry the rejection of the gospel by the Jews led to an emphasis in his ministry upon Gentiles. "Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles." Acts 13:46 But consequently this same propagation comes full circle back to Jews who are challenged by their own scriptures to believe in Jesus which would result in them be saved from God's wrath.
God uses incentives to motivate people to do what is ultimately in their best interest, even playing with the human sinful nature for our own benefit. Paul talked about the Gentiles provoking his unbelieving brethren to jealousy. You would think jealousy a bad thing. But as Joseph said to his brothers, as one might say to the sinful nature, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Gen 50:20 Consider also that God had previously orchestrated the scenario that led to Christ's crucifixion, playing upon the pride and jealousy of the religious elite to accomplish His ends. For a similar reason Paul speaks optimistically about a what seems a hopeless situation.
So if you are distressed by a hopeless situation, remember that God characteristically can make the outcome good.
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources
